Sustainable ministry is less about “tips and tricks” than it is about taking on a posture of ministry with God, sustained by wise habits. This is the last set of five rhythms in our “Sustainable rhythms” series, highlighting practices to keep you grounded, joyful and available to God and others.
The joy of the Lord is my strength (not my luxury)
I know a lot of pastors who feel selfless for avoiding things that bring them joy. We think, “I’ll do fun things when the work is finished,” or “I’ll enjoy myself after this season calms down.” I get it and I’ve said those things myself. The problem is: the work is never finished, and seasons rarely calm down. So joy feels like a luxury product: visible and coveted, but out of reach.
Scripture doesn’t say, “the joy of the Lord is our luxury,” though. It says, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Contrary to our everyday perception, joy isn’t an unattainable reward at the end of a faithful life; it’s the engine that helps us keep going, reminding us that the gospel is good news, because life with Jesus really is the best life possible.
Ask yourself: Where am I laughing most these days? Who are the people that make me smile without trying? Where am I experiencing joy? Lean into those things!
One retired pastor I met was an avid fisherman, and he told me he had a canoe he named Visitation. On his days off, he’d prioritize canoeing with his family on a nearby lake. If someone called the office asking for the pastor, the desk volunteer would say, “Oh, he’s out on Visitation.”
“It was a silly pun, really,” he said, “But it was also a reminder to me of how attached I could become to my identity as a pastor, and a reminder that those moments on the lake could be part of a sacred un-tangling … not only of the fishing line I had to keep un-knotting, but of my dual roles as a pastor and child of God.”
Capture to-dos and follow up
Ministry is full of conversations that end with, “I’ll pray for you,” or “We should circle back to this after Christmas.” If we don’t capture those commitments, they float away, and we live with the existential dread of knowing we had something we should follow up on, but don’t remember what.
I’ve learned that if I don’t write something down, it doesn’t exist. Whether it’s a notebook, a reminders app or a stack of Post-its, I find that sustainable leaders find a system to catch the to-dos that come out of meetings and hallway conversations. Then they follow up: they review their captured tasks, and send a text, write a note or ask the person how their life’s going.
Ministry is as much about what happens next as what happens in the moment. Forgetting stuff can gnaw at our mental peace for days (even weeks). Finding a friction-free way to capture those things can simplify our life, keep us shepherding the flock faithfully and help us remember bigger projects.
Stay curious
One of the most life-giving things you can do is stay curious about the people you’re leading. They’re not just “students” or “members,” but also mechanics, bakers, LEGO builders, athletes and dreamers.
Your curiosity communicates love. When you ask, “Teach me about what you love,” you’re saying, “You matter enough for me to enter your world.” And often, when people teach us about their passions, they open their hearts too.
One retired pastor I knew kept a “superpowers inventory” about members of her congregation, with lists for those with the superpower of baking, car repair, financial planning, meal planning, piano playing. One day (as a response to the sermon), she set up a tree in the lobby of the church, and had people hang their skills (and contact info) on the branches. Others in the church who had a need, or wanted to learn a specific skill, contacted those whose names were on the tree, and learned all sorts of skills! Some of those from the “baking groups” that emerged from this exercise still host church funeral dinners together.
One thing I’ve heard from many pastors over the years is that “ministry is lonely.” One way to help it feel less lonely is to step into others’ worlds. Sometimes, we can find (in our own congregation) people who can become our teachers, mentors and (yes) friends.
Make a list: what are three things the people you’re shepherding love? How could you step into that world with them: not as the expert but as the learner?
Make mistakes, repair mistakes
Here’s the truth: we all mess up.
You’ll forget an appointment, miscommunicate or let your frustration show. The temptation is to hide (backing away from those we’ve disappointed), minimize (Why do you feel this way? Overall, wouldn’t you say I’m still a good person?), deflect (I just had so much going on) or blame (it really wasn’t my fault, if you think about it. It was ___’s fault).
But the healthiest rhythm is simple: own it, apologize, repair it.
When you make a mistake, what’s your instinct? To deny, defend or disappear? Healthy leaders know they can’t sustain perfection; part of congregational life is learning to live in disappointment with one another…even those who lead us! One more step toward health may including saying, “I’m sorry.” “I was wrong.” “What can I do to repair this?”
Ministry isn’t sustained by cultivating the illusion of perfection: if your congregation gets to know you, they’ll find your imperfections. What they’ll hopefully also find is someone who’s willing to own up to their mistakes.
Practice spiritual and emotional hygiene
A pastor friend from Nashville told me over a decade ago: “Avoiding counseling is like avoiding a shower. You can do it, but sooner or later, you’ll stink. Everyone around you will notice, starting with those closest to you.” The same goes for spiritual direction, retreats or regular practices of rest. These aren’t extras. They’re hygiene.
Think about it: if your soul stinks, the people closest to you will be the first to know. Attending to your inner life through prayer, counseling, direction or silence isn’t selfish. It’s the only way to keep showing up as a whole person.
Last word
Put together, these five rhythms sound ordinary: joy, notes, curiosity, repair, hygiene. But that’s kind of the point: ordinary faithfulness is what makes ministry sustainable. These rhythms free us to keep showing up with joy, humility and love for the people God has entrusted to us.
For more information on sustainable ministry, read part one and part two of this “Sustainable rhythms” miniseries.
Rev. Ethan Linder is the pastor of discipleship at College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana, and contributing editor at The Wesleyan Church’s Education and Clergy Development Division.
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